Temple prep lessons

[dahlia]

Well guys, can you believe it? I'm baptized, confirmed, have a calling, had my patriarchal blessing, did my family history classes, and now they want me to take temple prep classes. I guess I'm serious about this Mormon thing.

Awhile back I got a booklet from LDS.org on getting ready for the temple, but it seemed mostly written for young people about to be married, so not too helpful. I also read the manual for the temple prep teacher (hey, if they didn't want me to read it, they shouldn't put it on line). That seemed a little elementary, but I guess that's what will be used in class. I hope the level of conversation is more meaningful and edifying than the manual itself.

I know there is a lot they won't say in class about the actual ritual, but I'm wondering if there is something I can read that will say more than 'the temple is a special place' or to prepare myself by following the WoW, etc. It seems that for many people, the first temple experience goes by in a daze. I would like it to be something more than that.

Also, I gather the initiatory ordinance is rather long. What happens if you get nervous and have to go to the ladies' room? I'm serious. Also, what happens if I take an endowed friend with me - will she act as the escort or will we both go through the ordinance at the same time, the only benefit to me being that I have someone I know next to me?

I am so blessed to be able to do my temple work at Nauvoo! Yay! I feel such a connection with those early Saints, and to the Church, every time I go there.

[Guest]

PLEASE take a friend with you! You will have a matron assigned to help you, but having someone next to you who knows what she's doing will be tremendously helpful and comforting. Meant to write more but a baby just woke up. . . more later.

[Vort]

I know there is a lot they won't say in class about the actual ritual, but I'm wondering if there is something I can read that will say more than 'the temple is a special place' or to prepare myself by following the WoW, etc. It seems that for many people, the first temple experience goes by in a daze. I would like it to be something more than that.

Good luck. I think you might be wise to accept that, however well you try to prepare yourself, you will need to attend the temple regularly for some months before you get a basic idea of what's going on, and probably for a lifetime before you gain all the insights you want. Unless you are unusually intelligent and/or spiritual, which I grant you may be.

Also, I gather the initiatory ordinance is rather long. What happens if you get nervous and have to go to the ladies' room? I'm serious.

Very reasonable question. Answer: Use the restroom right after you get dressed and before you get your "new name" and go to the chapel to wait. You will probably receive your washing and anointing right before going to the chapel; that break is a good time to use the restroom. These days, the entire endowment presentation, even for a so-called "live" presentation (meaning it's being done for live people, as opposed to strictly for proxies), should take no more than three hours as an outside maximum. Two hours is more likely for a live session.

Also, what happens if I take an endowed friend with me - will she act as the escort or will we both go through the ordinance at the same time, the only benefit to me being that I have someone I know next to me?

You will have an escort, either a friend or someone assigned to you (if no friend is available), who will go through the endowment session with you and help you with elements of dress and such. You are receiving your own endowment, but she will be acting as proxy for someone else while she goes through with you.

I am so blessed to be able to do my temple work at Nauvoo! Yay! I feel such a connection with those early Saints, and to the Church, every time I go there.

Congratulations! I have not been to Nauvoo since they rebuilt the temple, so I would love to go. Several of my ancestors received their endowment in the original Nauvoo temple, so it's a special place for me, too.

[Dravin]

I know there is a lot they won't say in class about the actual ritual, but I'm wondering if there is something I can read that will say more than 'the temple is a special place' or to prepare myself by following the WoW, etc.

One of the difficulties is people have varying ideas about just what it is that is appropriate to discuss outside of the temple, but your best bet is to talk to someone (someone who won't be offended if you ask something they feel they can't answer either from lack of knowledge or because answering is inappropriate). You could ask some questions here if you don't feel like there is anyone you can turn to locally, but the key thing to keep in mind (my little two cents of advice) is that the temple ceremony is:

1. Highly symbolic and ritualistic. The latter part can throw people off because by and large we aren't used to a lot of doctrinal ritual in the Church. I think some people come to associate ritual = apostasy before they go to the temple which can create a shock for them.

2. You will be making covenants but the covenants you are making by and large aren't anything knew, they are just more directly stated and taken upon you.

Also, what happens if I take an endowed friend with me - will she act as the escort or will we both go through the ordinance at the same time, the only benefit to me being that I have someone I know next to me?

She'll be doing both, the point of the escort is mainly to make sure you have someone to turn to to make sure you are doing everything correctly, to give you a helpful nudge and the like and it's also someone you know that you can talk with in the Celestial Room (which is where you are after concluding the ordinance of the endowment). If they've been through the Temple a decent number of times themselves then they'll have things down where helping you won't keep them from being able to participate in the ordinance themselves (speaking of the endowment). Either concurrently in most instances or immediately following helping you. Also in my experience other patrons of the temple are helpful and if they notice you struggling with something they'll provide some whispered advice or the like.

[beefche]

Congrats dahlia!

First, if you do receive your endowment at the Nauvoo Temple, Dravin and I live close enough that, if invited (notice how I'm inviting you to invite us???), we can make it to the session to be with you.

Second, it sounds like you have some friends in the ward. Ask one of them to sit down with you the night before you go to the temple for the first time (for your own endowments) and walk you through what to expect. There's actually not much that can't be shared, but I think it's done better in a private setting.

And yes, you want a friend to attend with you. In fact, I imagine many people from your ward will attend to celebrate this with you.

[rameumptom]

I have been attending the temple for over 30 years and still receive new insights via the Holy Spirit. The key to the temple, its ordinances, teachings, and experiences, is it all prepares us to be reconciled to God and to enter into His presence. All of it is based upon that concept. I suggest you study, ponder and pray about D&C 84:19-26 and several passages in the book of Mormon that teach about man being reconciled and entering into God's presence (including 1 Ne 1, 1 Ne 8-15, Alma 9-13, 3 Ne 11-27).

[HiJolly]

I recommend you read up and contemplate on these things:

What is the Law of Obedience & Sacrifice?

What is the law of the Gospel?

What is the law of Chastity?

What is the law of Consecration?

Not anciently, not last year, but today, for you, what do these mean to you, how might they apply to your life? How have they been explained to you?

HiJolly

[Spartan117]

Congratulations!!

I had my endowment in May, here are a few things that I was told that made a world of difference ...

- First, this is YOUR endowment, it's YOUR day. You're going to have a special name tag on that lets everyone know it's your first time. The temple workers will be knocking each other over to greet you and welcome you, see how you're doing, make sure you aren't lost etc. You'll be a star for a day.

- You absolutely need to bring an escort. One who you are close to and won't mind feeling a little nervous in front of. The temple will (should) provide a temple worker to guide you along but you need a buddy. They make sure the people there for their own endowment are taken care from beginning to end. They will make sure you sit next to your escort as well. So bring one.

- The night before my endowment my fiancée (who had been endowed years earlier) and her Dad (who was my escort) sat down and went over the logistics of the endowment. By logistics I mean going over and explaining the different parts, where you'll go, who will be there, where you'll go next, what goes on there etc. It is perfectly okay for someone to do that with you. You can explain a great deal about the endowment ceremony itself without it being inappropriate. Have them draw out a floor plan of which rooms you go into and for how long and what for and in what order etc. That helped me a lot. Especially because I went through Salt Lake. That place is huge. But there are temple workers every 10 feet waiting to help you or guide you.

- As you'll learn, there are some things that don't get talked about outside the temple. It isn't about "secrecy" either. I could be in the car with my wife driving down the highway, by ourselves, windows up, doors locked, seatbelts on, no one in the world but us, and we wouldn't talk about what goes on in the temple. This is where the "sacred" aspect comes in. If it is secret, then you don't talk about it around people who aren't endowed, but chat away when it's just members of the "cool kids club" who have already gone through. If that's the case, then they don't it. The temple is open to the public for an open house visit to anyone, immediately after it's construction and before it's dedicated. At that point it's a pretty building. Once it's dedicated, it is consecrated ground.

**sidenote ... Why are certain ordinances done in the temple and not at a ward? Where it's done has everything to do with it. Here's the thing (and this is sooo hypothetical because it just wouldn't happen) say there was an ordinance done in the temple during the open house. It is not valid whatsoever. Even though it was "in the temple" it was still "in the world." Once it is dedicated, then there is authority and meaning behind the ordinances. Somethings can not be done "in the world" and the first thing you'll notice once you get inside is that the world has no place there. You won't hear people talking, cars driving by, airplanes flying. You will feel like you really are out off "the world" and in many senses, you are**

- The endowment is old. Thousands of years old. As you're going through you'll realize this. It can seem weird or strange at times. Personally, I never felt at any moment during my endowment that what was going on was out of place. That's just me. Just remember this was done thousands or years ago. It's not mainstream.

- Before going through I read the book by Boyd K. Packer 'The Holy Temple' which is the source for the pamphlet. It does not go over the endowment step by step, doesn't tell you any special meaning behind things that are symbolic. It explains why we have temples to begin with, and gives a great history of them and how they came to be what they are today. Temples in ancient times were a little different than ones today. Even the first temple built in this dispensation in Kirtland is different than all the temples that followed. It had a different purpose, and a completely different design to it than any other temple. Certain temples had certain functions, the book explains all that. It's really interesting if you're into the church nerd stuff. I highly recommend reading it. You'll have a whole new understanding of the temple if you do.

- Lastly, 98.5% of what you're going to learn in the temple is in the scriptures. You'll get to the celestial room and be like "really? That's it?" I wasn't disappointed at all, but there really is no great big meaning of life secret you're told that isn't in the scriptures. I was CONVINCED that I would build a lightsabre during my endowment. The parallels between LDS and Star Wars are ju... nevermind that. Read the Pearl of Great Price once before you go through. It will be a good refresher. I'm excited for you. Don't be nervous, except for the part with the chicken at the end there's nothing that should freak you out.<JK>

Good luck, have fun, bring a buddy, and learn all you can. Then go back. If you want, after you've left the celestial room go exploring. You have that newbie nametag on you, that give you full diplomatic immunity. You could walk into the temple president's office and everyone will just feel bad that you got lost. I tried a few times to get to the door of the Holy of Holies (as I said, I went through Salt Lake) but there were too many temple workers who were "sorry" I was lost and "loved" to bring me back to where I should be. I wouldn't have gone in (not that I have a key anyway. Not anymore) but I'd love to stand outside that door one day. For the record I think the idea of sneaking into that room is wholly offensive. But standing outside it I'm okay with.

It's YOUR endowment, YOU make the covenants, and YOU'LL do great. Read the Holy Temple book, read the Pearl of Great Price, and you'll be great. Then come back here and tell us how it went

[dahlia]

1. Highly symbolic and ritualistic. The latter part can throw people off because by and large we aren't used to a lot of doctrinal ritual in the Church. I think some people come to associate ritual = apostasy before they go to the temple which can create a shock for them.

I come from two very ritualistic traditions, Catholicism and Judaism (three if you count the very ritualistic nature of academe). If I don't look askance at people twirling a chicken over their heads 3 times (Kapparot), I think I can hang with whatever is going to go on in the temple.

I hope I can stop myself from analyzing the ordinance, and just take it in.

Ha ha Spartan117! I hadn't read all of the posts when I posted and just saw yours. My son would walk over me to get to the missionaries if he thought he'd get special Jedi powers via the temple.

I will bring my own chicken. : )

Edited September 7, 2011 by dahlia
'cause it's helpful to read ALL the posts before posting

[Dravin]

I come from two very ritualistic traditions, Catholicism and Judaism (three if you count the very ritualistic nature of academe). If I don't look askance at people twirling a chicken over their heads 3 times (Kapparot), I think I can hang with whatever is going to go on in the temple.

Yeah, I was kinda going into generals there. It's good to know it won't be a pause point for you.

[beefche]

I come from two very ritualistic traditions, Catholicism and Judaism (three if you count the very ritualistic nature of academe). If I don't look askance at people twirling a chicken over their heads 3 times (Kapparot), I think I can hang with whatever is going to go on in the temple.

I hope I can stop myself from analyzing the ordinance, and just take it in.

Ha ha Spartan117! I hadn't read all of the posts when I posted and just saw yours. My son would walk over me to get to the missionaries if he thought he'd get special Jedi powers via the temple.

I will bring my own chicken. : )

Don't bring a chicken, please. The temple will supply you with your own virgin turkey.

[Spartan117]

Don't bring a chicken, please. The temple will supply you with your own virgin turkey.

I get to get mine from the same place where I rented my pants.

[mnn727]

very important

the key thing to keep in mind (my little two cents of advice) is that the temple ceremony is:

1. Highly symbolic and ritualistic. The latter part can throw people off because by and large we aren't used to a lot of doctrinal ritual in the Church. I think some people come to associate ritual = apostasy before they go to the temple which can create a shock for them.

I can't emphasize this aspect enough. I sure wish someone had told me this before I went. The rituals are not the important thing, they are there to emphasize the Covenants.Seriously though it took me a long time to come to terms with the ritual parts -- not that there is anything bad - there's not, but just that everything else in the Church is so 'matter-of-fact' and unritualistic that it threw me at first.

Edited to add: I didn't read that you came from a Catholic and Jewish background - you should be fine with the ritual aspects - I came from a Protestant background - so almost no ritual at all.

One thing to remember - Don't fall off the goat. just kidding............ its ok if you do.

Just kidding, its what my wifes best friend told her just as she was walking into the Temple for the first time -- I laughed so hard I'm sure anyone that heard me was trying to fgure out what was going on.

Edited September 10, 2011 by mnn727

[Blocky]

I recommend you read up and contemplate on these things:

What is the Law of Obedience & Sacrifice?

What is the law of the Gospel?

What is the law of Chastity?

What is the law of Consecration?

Not anciently, not last year, but today, for you, what do these mean to you, how might they apply to your life? How have they been explained to you?

HiJolly

This is good advice, I wish someone had given it to me! I'm so happy that I've gotten my endowment, but it would have been nice to not only go with the flow during the ceremony, but to think 'these are things I've been thinking about and agree with'.

[Blackmarch]

Well guys, can you believe it? I'm baptized, confirmed, have a calling, had my patriarchal blessing, did my family history classes, and now they want me to take temple prep classes. I guess I'm serious about this Mormon thing.

congratulations and welcome to the insanity ^.^

Awhile back I got a booklet from LDS.org on getting ready for the temple, but it seemed mostly written for young people about to be married, so not too helpful. I also read the manual for the temple prep teacher (hey, if they didn't want me to read it, they shouldn't put it on line). That seemed a little elementary, but I guess that's what will be used in class. I hope the level of conversation is more meaningful and edifying than the manual itself.

I know there is a lot they won't say in class about the actual ritual, but I'm wondering if there is something I can read that will say more than 'the temple is a special place' or to prepare myself by following the WoW, etc. It seems that for many people, the first temple experience goes by in a daze. I would like it to be something more than that.

Also, I gather the initiatory ordinance is rather long. What happens if you get nervous and have to go to the ladies' room? I'm serious. Also, what happens if I take an endowed friend with me - will she act as the escort or will we both go through the ordinance at the same time, the only benefit to me being that I have someone I know next to me?

I am so blessed to be able to do my temple work at Nauvoo! Yay! I feel such a connection with those early Saints, and to the Church, every time I go there.

they will have temple workers there who will help you with every question, who are very helpful, friendly, and accomodating (and yes using the restroom before going is a good idea) ...

If you bring an endowed friend, yes they will be able to go the ceremonies at the same time as you... don't know if they can go as helper/guide or what they would need to do to do that. But once you both are in the celestial room you can reverently discuss the temple and its ordinances.

I'd say pray, fast, and study the scriptures seriously the day before and of going to the temple.

For quite a few people it seems a little weird because everything in the temple is heavily symbolic, the only things that we have outside the temple that approaches that symbolism are the sacrament, baptism, and prayer... Those may be a good place to start studying.

[dahlia]

I've got another question. Can someone who hasn't been sealed be a proxy at a sealing ceremony? My elder and his mother have talked about going through the temple together at the end of his mission. Would we only be able to do the endowment ceremony or could he act as the proxy for my late husband?

I got the temple book that someone recommended; it's a bit better than the little pamphlet in terms of text and the pictures are great.

[rameumptom]

Any endowed member can perform sealings. So, yes, your elder can do proxy work for your deceased.

[dahlia]

Any endowed member can perform sealings. So, yes, your elder can do proxy work for your deceased.

Is a proxy sealing with my missionary weird? Too weird to suggest?

[bytebear]

It's only as weird as you make it. I think he would be deeply touched.

[Blocky]

No weirder than doing work for the dead. Which means, it's not weird and makes wonderful sense, so only if for some personal reason you find it weird.

[rameumptom]

When it comes to proxy work for our dead, it is touching and significant when we can do it with those that are important to us. If he is finished with his mission, he can do sealings with you. If currently on his mission still, he would have to have his mission president's permission to do sealings.

[Blackmarch]

No weirder than doing work for the dead. Which means, it's not weird and makes wonderful sense, so only if for some personal reason you find it weird.

IF we've grown up in a culture that has common religistic ritual then it won't be as weird or different... but in many cases our culture isn't that way. I know theres been a time or two when i've been really thinking about the sacrament, and i've had the thought "Man that's really weird" as a first reaction... once an individual begins to understand symbolism, why its used, and especially if they can understsand the symbolism itself then it becomes very reasonable and comforting.

Sometimes that takes a while to get to.

[dahlia]

When it comes to proxy work for our dead, it is touching and significant when we can do it with those that are important to us. If he is finished with his mission, he can do sealings with you. If currently on his mission still, he would have to have his mission president's permission to do sealings.

He has a number of months yet to go, but his mother and I have talked about her coming to Nauvoo (I think an elder told me that all the local missionaries go through Nauvoo on their way out) and the 3 of us going through the temple together. I wasn't sure what-all we would do, but I will have my endowments and my husband's work is done, we just need to get sealed.

So, I would like my elder to stand in for my husband, if it's not considered strange since he is younger than I.

[HiJolly]

So, I would like my elder to stand in for my husband, if it's not considered strange since he is younger than I.

Not an issue at all. :-)

HiJolly

[mnn727]

duplicate of an earlier post, didn't realize this was the same thread at first.